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Pamela Riemenschneider

Robinson Fresh supports food desert grocer

For the first time in ten years, a north Minneapolis neighborhood has access to a full service supermarket, thanks in part to support from Eden Prairie, Minn.-based C. H. Robinson Foundation.

The North Market grocery store opened Dec. 13, after a three-year process to raise funds and construction on the site of a former Supervalu and Kowalski’s. The nonprofit grocer is operated by Pillsbury United Communities.

Robinson Fresh

“Myself and the grants committee felt strongly about supporting this new kind of grocery store,” said Noah Hoffman, general manager at Robinson Fresh, in a news release. “North Market provides access to healthy food and food assistance to its community, something we’re very passionate about supporting.”

The neighborhood was officially designated as a food desert, with almost 70,000 people served by about 30 convenience stores, one supermarket and a limited assortment discount grocer, according to Pillsbury United Communities. The organization raised approximately $6 million in capital funding.

North Market is a full service grocer, with a full fresh produce department, which also has space for community events, cooking classes and other programs.